Chemical Process and Technology Project Ideas
This list contains many topics. Students must choose three topics.
Topic
1.Colloids
2. Pigments
3. Dispersions
4. Emulsions
5. Anti corrosion
Coatings
Description
New structural, optical and thermodynamic properties.
Better thermal stability without loss of absorption characteristics.
Nanoparticle size, and molecular structures can be tailored.
Engineering of viscosity and particle size, emphasis on nanotechnology.
Improved surface mechanical properties and stability in air due to nano-sized
particles.
6. Ferrofluids
Creation of 'fluid magnets', which can be externally manipulated using a magnetic
field. As a consequence, the magnetic fluid can also be made to exhibit different
rheological properties and structure.
Below a critical size, magnetic particles are superparamagnetic and the collective
magnetic response is fluid. Superparamagnets adjust to weak external magnetic
forces.
8. Passivated magnetic Magnetic particles can be covered with insulators or molecular overlayers, and the
particles
surface made resistant to oxidation or insulated to electrical conduction.
9. Ceramic processing
'Customised' ceramics for one-off applications; particularly using stabilised zirconia
technology
Nanoparticle size and composition selected to produce required viscosity and
10. Nano-emulsion
absorption characteristics
11. Drug delivery
Nanoparticles can determine the chemical reactivity rate, the location and the timing
systems:
of drug delivery.
Nanocomposites can be designed to exhibit well defined singlet or triplet excitonic
12. Bio-receptors for
absorption spectra. These localised bundles of light energy can be transferred over
energy transfer
long distances to a 'receptor' and used for example for photochemistry or charge
generation (the photoelectric cell).
The addition of nanoparticles can influence the flow characteristics and mechanical
13. Cosmetics
properties of cosmetics, as well as the absorption of harmful radiation.
The addition of nanoparticles can influence the flow characteristics and mechanical
14. UV protection gels
properties of cosmetics, as well as the absorption of harmful radiation.
15. Sol-gel technology In the design of different types of materials.
7. Magnetic particles
Finally, nanoparticles can be alloyed to engineer16. surface bonding properties, and used for the 17. fabrication
of sticking, non sticking or selectively sticking surfaces.
above information found at: http://www.nano.org.uk/section7.htm
18. Researchers aim to create quantum dot to block virus
SmallTimes April 04, 2003 Using nanotechnology researchers at the University of California, Davis hope
to create tiny particles that can interfere with the proteins that viruses such as HIV use to attach to cells.
19. The Future of Nanotechnology: Molecular Manufacturing
EurekAlert April 04, 2003 The future of technology is sometimes easy to predict. Computers will compute
faster, materials will become stronger, and medicine will cure more diseases. Nanotechnology, which
works on the nanometer scale of molecules and atoms, will be a large part of this future, enabling great
improvements in all these fields.
20.Random nanotubes team up for transistors
Nanotechweb April 04, 2003 Random networks of single-wall carbon nanotubes may offer the most
immediate opportunity for the structures to make their mark in electronics. That's the view of scientists at
the Naval Research Laboratory, US, who say that the technique removes the need for the tubes to be
precision-assembled.
21.New clothes stab bugs with molecular daggers
New Scientist April 04, 2003 Tiny molecular daggers that latch onto fibres stab and destroy microbes have
been created, meaning "killer clothes" may soon be available. Anti-fungal socks could take on athlete's foot
while, on a more serious note, military uniforms could kill anthrax.
22. Liquid Crystals Go 3D
Technology Review April 03, 2003 Researchers from Sheffield University in England and the University of
Pennsylvania have unlocked some of the secrets of shapes that are neither solid nor liquid, but somewhere
between. They have also discovered a type of liquid crystal that is bigger than any known before.
23. WMU research may aid national security
Western Herald April 03, 2003 In this time of war, WMU is partnering with Altair Nanotechnologies to
research nanoparticles that may eventually help in the creation of an early warning system for biological
and chemical warfare.
24. New nano-coat kills germs
F.A.Z. April 03, 2003 The Institute for New Materials in Saarbrücken has developed a special new varnish
that kills bacteria and fungi and will prevent diseases from being spread through contact with doorknobs
and sanitary fittings.
25. DNA keeps the motor running
* Nature April 03, 2003 Most artificial molecular motors must be 'clocked': arduously manipulated around
every cycle or power stroke. Now a DNA device runs smoothly as long as it is fed with fuel.
26. Fermenting nanowires
* Nature April 03, 2003 The future of nanotechnology relies heavily on the ability of researchers to find
construction techniques through which nanoscale structures assemble themselves from molecular
constituents. Borrowing from nature, researchers now demonstrate the use of proteins derived from yeast as
templates for directing the self-assembly of conducting nanowires.
27. AMD to discuss 'fastest' transistors at VLSI Symposium
EETimes April 03, 2003 Researchers from AMD have made a transistor in fully depleted silicon-oninsulator manufacturing process technology that operates 30 percent faster than the best previously reported
PMOS transistor.
28. Hitachi says it can fly fast and cheap in the dna chip market
SmallTimes April 03, 2003 Hitachi says it has developed a DNA analyzer that can make gene diagnoses
using only a 1-milliliter blood sample - plus it can do it for only 10 bucks, and in minutes instead of the
three to seven hours it takes with current DNA chips.
29. Electromagnetic waves from palm-sized device penetrate solids
UDaily April 02, 2003 Scientists from the University of Delaware have made a major breakthrough in
terahertz nanotechnology, one that could have practical applications in medical imaging, hazardous
materials detection and even rescue operations.
30. Nanotechnology helping to secure louisville airport
SmallTimes April 02, 2003 Jim DeLong is looking to nanotechnology as the best way to screen checked
baggage at Louisville International Airport. The GM of the Regional Airport Authority says new devices
under development will be tiny enough to be embedded in the floors of the baggage wells between ticket
counter positions to scan each bag as the passenger checks it in. These machines could be ready in three
years, he believes.
above information found at: http://nanotech-now.com/
31. Nanocomposites
32. Nanocrystals
33.Nanoparticles- Stain-repellent Eddie Bauer Nano-Care khakis, with surface
fibers of 10 to 100 nanometers. Developed by Nano-Tex, a Burlington Industries
subsidiary.
34. Nanostructured Materials
Nanodyne makes a tungsten-carbide-cobalt composite powder (grain size
less than 15nm) that is used to make a sintered alloy as hard as diamond,
which is in turn used to make cutting tools, drill bits, armor plate, and jet
engine parts.
35. Nanoclays and Nanocomposites
Used in packaging, like beer bottles, as a barrier, allowing for thinner
material, with a subsequently lighter weight, and greater shelf-life.
36. Nanocomposite Coatings
Wilson Double Core tennis balls have a nanocomposite coating that keeps
it bouncing twice as long as an old-style ball. Made by InMat LLC, this
nanocomposite is a mix of butyl rubber, intermingled with nanoclay
particles, giving the ball substantially longer shelf life
37. Nanotubes
Nanoledge makes carbon nanotubes for commercial uses, of which one
mundane (marketing tactic) use is in a tennis racket, made by Babolat
38. Nanocatalysts
China's largest coal company (Shenhua Group) has licensed technology
from Hydrocarbon Technologies that will enable it to liquify coal and turn it
into gas. The process uses a gel-based nanoscale catalyst, which
improves the efficiency and reduces the cost.
39. Nanofilters
Argonide Nanomaterials, an Orlando based manufacturer of nanoparticles
and nanofiltration products, makes a filter that is capable of filtering the
smallest of particles. The performance is due to it’s nano size alumina
fiber, which attracts and retains sub-micron and nanosize particles. This
disposable filter retains 99.9999+% of viruses at water flow rates several
hundred times greater than virus-rated ultra porous membranes. It is
useful for sterilization of biological, pharmaceutical and medical serums,
protein separation, collector/concentrator for biological warfare detectors,
and several other applications
above information found at: http://www.nanotech-now.com/current-uses.htm
http://www.nanoindustries.com/edu.html
http://www.foresight.org/NanoRev/
http://www.sciam.com/nanotech/
40. New DNA Computer Functions sans Fuel
Scientists have announced a novel model of a DNA computer that no longer requires an external
energy source and performs 50 times faster than its predecessor did
41. Mud-Loving Microbes May Aid in Manufacture of Nanoelectronics
For their ongoing efforts to manufacture ever-smaller technological devices, scientists have
recruited some suitably tiny workers: bacteria. Researchers report that proteins produced by
microbes living in extreme environments can be used as building blocks for nanoelectronics
42. The Nanodrive Project
Inventing a nanotechnology device for mass production and consumer use is trickier than it sounds
43. Lightning Rods for Nanoelectronics
Electrostatic discharges threaten to halt further shrinking and acceleration of electronic devices in
the future
44. Viral Workhorses
Emptied of their infectious nucleic acids, viruses make surprisingly adaptable tools for
nanoengineers
45. Machine-Phase Nanotechnology
The leading visionary in the field forecasts how nanorobots will transform society
46. A Grand Plan for Medicine
The National Nanotechnology Initiative hopes to better patient care with futuristic improvements in imaging,
implants and drug delivery, among other things
47. Scientists Create Smallest Ever Laser-Like Light Beam
Scientists may have found a way to create extreme-ultraviolet light, using equipment that can fit
on a dining room table
48. Breaking the Mold
Big-name researchers are moving to commercialize nanomanufacturing the carbon-nanotube
50. Soft Manufacturing
Shaping small structures in rubber has moved beyond a Harvard lab
51. Nanocrystals Could Form the Basis of Artificial Leaves
New findings suggest that artificial leaves comprised of nanocrystals may one day remove carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere--even in the dark
52. Nanotech Tubes Could Form Basis of New Drug-Purification Techniques
Scientists have developed a "smart" membrane containing tiny silica nanotubes that is capable of
separating two forms of a cancer-fighting drug molecule
53. Self-Assembling Rosette Nanotubes Could Serve As Tiny Scaffolds
Researchers have created self-assembling molecules that link together to form tiny rosette-shaped
tubes
54. Camera Flash Prompts Carbon Nanotube Combustion
55. Carbon nanotubes could be used as triggering devices or for remote light-induced ignition
56. Scientists Create Carbon Nanothermometer
Scientists have constructed a thermometer made out of a column of carbon just 10 micrometers
long
57. Carbon Nanotubes Could Lengthen Battery Life
Research suggests that the diminutive tubes can hold twice as much energy as graphite, the form
of carbon currently used as an electrode in many rechargeable lithium batteries
58. Carbon Nanotubes Could Serve as Ultrafast Oscillators
Scientists could conceivably fashion a gigahertz oscillator out of carbon nanotubes
59. Nanotube 'Peapods' Exhibit Surprising Electronic Properties
Scientists have determined that nanotube peapods--minute straws of carbon filled with spherical
carbon molecules known as buckyballs--have tunable electronic properties
60. Researchers Assemble Building Blocks of Nanocomputers
Researchers have begun to assemble the tiniest electronic elements into simple logic circuits-the
building blocks of the electronic mazes that power computers
61. One group of researchers has created the most compact (and first self-assembled) organic molecule
transistor yet,
62. while another team has figured out how to measure the flow of electrons through single molecules
accurately
63. Scientists Create Microscopic Metallic Bar Codes
In a move sure to confound grocery and convenience store checkers the world over, intrepid
chemists have fashioned microscopic bar code rods just a few thousandths of a millimeter long
64. Scientists Create Double Quantum Dot for Computing
Purdue University physicist Albert Chang and colleagues have successfully linked two so-called
quantum dots such that the tiny structures could conceivably serve as qubits-switches for quantum
computers that can be on, off or in a combination of states
65. Researchers Fashion the First Single-Molecule Circuit
Scientists have successfully wired up a working computer circuit--a voltage inverter, or NOT gate-within a single carbon nanotube
66.virus-size machines will build rocket engines or new body parts one molecule at a time
68. Molecular Machines
Molecular-scale robots currently exist only in the imaginations of nanotechnologists and the artists
who depict their ideas. But some technological visionaries think that the dream will soon become
a reality that will transform everything from health care to food production
69. A Turn of the Gear
Currently, molecule-size machine parts exist only as computer simulations. But judging from the
modelers' results, such nanostructures are certainly plausible and could have enormous potential
70. Molecular Motor
Self-propelled devices powered by molecule-size engines could function not just inside the body
but literally inside individual cells
71. Nanomold for Metal Wires
For the parade of ever-shrinking optoelectric devices to push on, engineers must be able to fashion
ultraminiature wires with exacting precision. A new technique for making many thin wires at once
should help
72. Armored Viruses
Close scrutiny of a virus dubbed HK97 has revealed a protein coat structured precisely like
medieval chain mail. The discovery could lead to new designs in nanotechnology
73. Scientists Spin Microscopic Particles with Laser Beams
Objects such as chromosomes and proteins are way too small to pick up or flip over using your
fingers. But new research demonstrates that microscopic particles can be manipulated rather easily
using laser beams
74. Carbon-Free Nanotubes
Most nanotubes--minuscule straws marveled for their strength and unique electronic properties-are made from pure carbon. But a better alternative in some cases might be similarly tiny tubes
made from boron nitride
75. Silicon DNA Counters
When it comes to analyzing biomolecules such as proteins or DNA, the test tube can only take you
so far. Many scientists are thus working to create so-called labs-on-chips and other nanoscale
devices to sort, measure and count the various molecules of life
76. Growing Replacement Blood Vessels
Researchers have taken the first steps toward growing replacement blood vessels in the laboratory
for transplant into the bodies of heart attack victims. But delivering them to the heart will require
the help of microscopic machines called angiochips
77. Tying Nano-Knots
Scientists have developed a new process for spinning continuous carbon fibers that are finer and
stronger than most other known materials. Indeed, these threads--comprised of single-wall carbon
nanotubes--are tough enough to be tied into tight knots without breaking
78. New Technique Makes Diamond Coatings Cheaper
Researchers have developed a new process for making nano-crystalline diamond coatings.
Because the new technique is more affordable, diamond coatings may soon find many new uses
above information found at: http://www.sciam.com/nanotech/
other websites to check out
http://www.foresight.org/NanoRev/
http://www.sciam.com/nanotech/